Key Takeaways:
- In 2022, 1.3 million Indian students were enrolled in schools abroad, driven by factors such as exposure to different cultures, improved quality of life, and promising employment opportunities, according to a recent report.
- The forecast of an $85-billion investment in international education by 2024 highlights Indian students’ unwavering determination to access premier educational opportunities globally.
- International education goes beyond academics, offering Indian students the chance to broaden their horizons, immerse themselves in diverse cultures, and enrich their global perspectives and employability through life-enriching experiences.
The limitless nature of education nowadays provides Indian students with the opportunity to pursue international learning experiences. Hundreds of thousands of Indian students who seek higher education abroad each year consider various factors, including multiculturalism, quality of life, safety, environmental conditions, international student regulations, and the host country’s growth rate.
But what motivates Indian students to pursue international education, and how do they navigate the challenging decision-making process when choosing to study abroad?
When selecting a university, students largely consider university rankings, accreditation, teaching methods, tuition fees, and graduate employability. However, they must meet stringent admission requirements to enroll in their chosen degree programs at foreign universities.
India Today reported that more than 1.3 million Indian students were enrolled in 79 different countries in 2022. Popular destinations for Indian students now include the United Kingdom, the United States of America, Australia, Canada, Ireland, the United Arab Emirates, and Germany. These countries are witnessing an increasing influx of international students each year, allowing students to customize their academic and professional profiles to match their preferences.
$85-Billion Investment in International Education by 2024
According to Careerindia.com, based on RedSeer data, an astounding 1.8 million Indians are expected to invest around $85 billion in international education by 2024. More Indian students are choosing international education due to its numerous advantages. Despite having the world’s largest youth population, India still has limited access to elite educational institutions with outstanding prospects, leading to intense competition among local candidates.
In contrast, Indian students have the freedom to pursue their desired education abroad in countries with smaller populations and a wide range of educational options, enhancing their employment prospects upon returning to India. Increased interest in studying abroad among Indian students demonstrates the rising demand for international learning opportunities and the importance of accessing high-quality educational institutions outside of India.
Great Career Opportunities as Deciding Factor
Individuals can jumpstart their careers by enrolling in a two-year university program abroad or a four-year undergraduate degree, with the potential for significant development within four to eight years of working in their chosen destination. Many Indian students choose to study abroad for the opportunity to live outside India’s borders.
Nations like the United States and Canada, with attractive economic opportunities, actively welcome immigration. Research shows that 80% of Asian students want to stay in their host countries after completing their higher education. Diversifying their experiences is the primary driving force behind this decision.
Furthermore, studying abroad exposes students to a world of diverse cultures, people, and ideas, leading to a more comprehensive perspective on life. Many students also believe that studying abroad enhances productivity.
The application process for studying abroad is relatively straightforward, typically involving the submission of important documents and transcripts to the universities of choice. Lastly, studying abroad provides exciting opportunities for exploration and the understanding of various cultures, broadening one’s perspectives and deepening their understanding of diverse societies.
Moving forward
As we embark on the ever-evolving path of foreign education, we find ourselves at a pivotal juncture in the journey of Indian students. Millions of Indian students have gone abroad to seize the limitless opportunities offered by international education, with the UK, US, Australia, Canada, Ireland, the UAE, and Germany being their top choices. This unequivocal endorsement of international academic exposure reflects Indian students’ tenacity and aspirations to access top educational options. By pursuing international education, Indian students are empowered to expand their horizons, immerse themselves in different cultures, and engage in meaningful experiences.
The future of Indian students seeking global learning opportunities holds limitless possibilities, shaping their personal and professional narratives in significant and advantageous ways. The world becomes their classroom. (RAGHWA GOPAL)
RAGHWA GOPAL
MSM CEO
Raghwa Gopal is a serial entrepreneur, academic, and software engineer by profession. Drawing from extensive business experience, Raghwa joined MSM from British Columbia’s Innovate BC, serving as president and CEO and helping companies start and scale to fuel technology development, commercialization, and adoption. As Accelerate Okanagan’s (AO) former CEO, he was a driving force in development of the tech sector, with a CA$1.6-billion economic contribution.
Raghwa studied at New Zealand’s Central Institute of Technology, Australia’s Collier MacMillan School, and the University of the South Pacific. He has strong ties to higher education as a former lecturer of business at UBC Okanagan, computer science at the School of Arts and Sciences, and entrepreneur-in-residence at Okanagan College School of Business.
His board memberships span across multiple organizations, such as the University of British Columbia, the India Canada Innovation Council, the Women’s Enterprise Centre, and the Province of British Columbia’s Emerging Economy Task Force.
Sources:
- Forecast projects 1.8 million Indian students abroad by 2024. (2023, January 5). ICEF. Retrieved from https://monitor.icef.com/2022/08/forecast-projects-1-8-million-indian-students-abroad-by-2024/
- Indian students’ study abroad choices: Insights from the data. (2023, August 6). India Today. Retrieved from https://www.indiatoday.in/education-today/latest-studies/story/indian-students-study-abroad-choices-insights-from-the-data-2416313-2023-08-06
- Suresh, A. (2023, April 2). Substantial Increase in the Indian Students Study Abroad; Overview, Scope for Education in Abroad, Countries. Careerindia.com. Retrieved from https://www.careerindia.com/study-abroad/substantial-increase-in-the-indian-students-study-abroad-overview-scope-for-education-in-abroad-c-034880.html